Nutrition Counseling and Depression

Depression can result in an increase or a decrease in appetite, over­eating for emotional comfort, or feeling too tired to plan and fix healthy meals and snacks. Both under­ and over­eating can lead to poor nutritional status, which can affect mental health. Imbalances of carbohydrate, fat, and protein are linked to depression. Vitamins and minerals are needed in order to produce neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals found in your nerve cell that communicates with another nerve cell or with a muscle. The neurotransmitters are of particular interest in preventing and treating depression. Specific diets, like a typical or traditional Western, Mediterranean, or Japanese diet may not necessarily alter the risk for depression; however, eating patterns (as compared to studying individual nutrients) have shown that consuming a healthy, balanced diet is associated with a lower likelihood of depression. A full nutritional assessment of diet and supplements, laboratory tests, and evaluation of medications will give the dietitian and you information about whether these factors are contributing to depression and help you make a realistic plan for feeling better.